Teacher arrested on charges of sexual battery on a child | News

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A teacher at Windy Hill Elementary School has been arrested on charges of sexual battery on a child.

Christopher Robert Bacca, 26, was arrested on Tuesday and is facing suspension without pay pending termination, which is what Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals will be recommending, according to Jill Johnson with Duval County Public Schools (DCPS).

Bacca began working for the school district in 2008 when he was hired as a fourth grade teacher at Long Branch Elementary School. He transferred to Windy Hill Elementary School in January 2010 and was a Duval County Teacher of the Year candidate in 2012, as well as Windy Hill's Teacher of the Year.

"Of course, that's egregious to us as a school board, as a district, because those are not the types of things that we condone," said Betty Burney, Duval County Public School Board chairman. "That person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and we just have to step back and let the police do their process."

Bacca was also featured in a story in The Florida Times-Union's Teachable Moments series.

According to a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office police report, Bacca faces three capital felony charges of sexual battery, one charge of lewd/lascivious battery, one count of lewd/lascivious molestation, and one count of lewd/lascivious conduct - offender 18 or older, victim less than 16.

The report alleges that Bacca showered with the victim on more than one occasion while the victim was staying at Bacca's home.

Johnson said the Professional Practices Commission in Tallahassee will be investigating Bacca and DCPS will provide the results, including any potential action against his teaching license.